Category: Campus Life

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Auburn Housing 101

By Rebecca Vo, Admissions Advisor

Here at Auburn University, we have many different on-campus residence halls. However, there are countless off campus living options too. When making your decision, it’s important to keep in mind what you want from your first-year experience. While you may think that living on-campus in a suite style residence hall is the only way to get plugged into the Auburn family, there are still ample opportunities for community-building no matter what type of living style you choose. We hope that you’ll take the time to explore all your options.

Upper Quad

On-Campus Housing: Suite Style

When picturing college on-campus living, a suite style residence hall is probably the first thing that comes to mind. In a suite style residence hall, you will share a room with another person, and the two of you will then share a connected bathroom with two other students. At Auburn, The Hill and The Quad communities are configured this way. When you decide to live in one of these communities, you will have the opportunity to build strong bonds with your roommates, suitemates, and other members of the hall. There are study and common areas that students congregate in frequently, and Resident Assistants are active parts of the community, planning programs for students to make connections and engage with one another. You will also make full use of your meal plan, as these residence halls don’t have kitchens in individual rooms.

While community is at the center of suite-style living, it can also provide some opportunities for growth if you’re not used to living with others. Communication is key in a suite-style residence hall so that you avoid disagreements over subjects like cleanliness levels and who’s turning out the lights every night. While it can take some time to adjust to sharing a space with someone, it’s a great way to grow as a communicator and build tight-knit bonds throughout your first year on campus.

The Village

On-Campus Housing: Apartment Style

The next option to evaluate when looking at on-campus living is apartment style residence halls. At Auburn, South Donahue and The Village are our apartment style communities. With these residence halls you will be in an apartment with either one or three other people. Every student has their own room, but they share a bathroom with one other individual. These spaces also feature a common living area with a sofa and an armchair, and a small kitchenette that includes a microwave, refrigerator, sink, and counter and cabinet space.

Key benefits of living in The Village or South Donahue include having a larger space to host group hangouts, more storage areas, and the opportunity to have a little more control over your diet. While there isn’t a full kitchen within the on-campus apartment style residence halls, you are allowed to have small appliances like air fryers, toaster ovens, crock pots, and more. The full list of approved appliances can be found on the Housing website.

With a different style of living comes a different set of challenges. While you get your own room in these residential communities, there are still conflicts that can arise when it comes to allowing visitors and keeping the common areas clean. You may also have less connection with others outside of your apartment. However, you can still form close relationships with your roommates without the potential added stress of sharing a bedroom with them. Apartment style residence halls are also staffed by Resident Assistants who assist with community-building activities and upholding university policy.

160 Ross
191 College

Somewhere in the Middle: Auburn University Affiliate Housing

Since Auburn, Alabama, is a college town, we have the unique opportunity of partnering with local apartment complexes to house students who want the off-campus living experience but the on-campus living resources. These affiliate housing complexes are off campus by their location, but they are still managed by Auburn University housing staff. These communities also have Resident Assistants to help students build community and engage with one another.

Auburn currently has three university-affiliated housing complexes: 160 Ross, The Union, and 191 College. All these apartment complexes are like our on-campus apartment style housing, with the apartments being furnished and students having their own bedrooms and a shared kitchen and living area. The main difference between on-campus apartment style residence halls and affiliate housing complexes is the kitchen. You’ll find a stove and an oven in these apartments, which gives you the freedom to fully cook for yourself and your roommates.

Aside from having a full kitchen, the other benefits of living in an affiliate housing complex includes extra amenities like pools, fitness centers, and an in-unit washer and dryer. However, with extra amenities comes extra costs. They are also a bit further away from campus compared to on-campus housing options, so be ready to walk or use Tiger Transit more often than you would if you lived in an on-campus residence hall.

Off-Campus Housing: Options Abound

Even if you decide to pursue off-campus housing, there are plenty of options in the Auburn and Opelika areas. Many students choose to live in an apartment complex, but there are also other options like house rentals, townhomes, and mobile home parks. There is a website to find rentals available specifically for Auburn students – you can find that at offcampushousing.auburn.edu/housing. With the sheer number of properties in Auburn, you may find that your off-campus housing option is closer to some of your classes than your on-campus housing assignment!

Remember, choosing to live on or off campus for your first year of college is all about evaluating what you want out of your first-year experience. Regardless of where you live during your first year, you can still join campus organizations, attend events, get to know your classmates and professors, and do so much more to find your family within the Auburn family.

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Autumn in Auburn: When the Campus Turns Orange

There is something undeniably special about Auburn in the fall. All across campus, the trees have turned the color of orange, deep and glowing, as if the University itself has dressed up in school spirit. The air carries a soft crispness that feels like a promise – of new beginnings and treasured memories waiting to be made.

Walking to class feels different in this season. Leaves crunch underfoot, and the same paths you have walked all semester now seem brand new. The sunlight lingers a little longer on the red brick concourses and catches in the golden leaves drifting down from the oaks near Samford Hall. You pause to watch, and time slows for just a moment.

Fall has a way of making the familiar seem more special. The paths, the buildings, the small routines – all seem to come alive in color and light. As the wind carries another swirl of orange across your path, you realize it is more than just a beautiful time of year. It is the season of sweaters and spirit, and of warmth and belonging. Fall in Auburn feels like stepping into a story – one painted in orange, filled with laughter, tradition, and the quiet magic of home.

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Discover Your Path with the Involvement Ambassadors

By: Jackson Yanosky
Student Involvement – Student Writer

Here at Auburn, students have countless opportunities to become involved on campus, whether you are freshman, a senior or anything in between. There is something for everyone with over 500 on-campus organizations. With so many places one can go, many students often feel overwhelmed by the multitude of options available to them for getting involved. The Involvement Ambassadors are here to help students discover their path.  

Involvement Ambassadors (IA) help students navigate through Auburn’s many organizations and excel at assisting students in finding opportunities that suit them. These approachable, enthusiastic students have a broad insight into the different student organizations and student populations on the Plains. With 30 members, the Involvement Ambassadors have a team fit to serve each member of the Auburn family uniquely and work hard to ensure that all students find a home here. Kayle Cooper, president of IA, says that “the mission of the Involvement Ambassadors has always been to help Auburn students discover their passions, interests, and community by getting involved in organizations,” and believes that this year will be one of their best yet.

Now acting solely as a Student Activities Organization, the Involvement Ambassadors are more focused on outreach than ever. Students can find them tabling on the Haley concourse every Wednesday, as well as at various outreach events, including the Involvement Fair and classroom visits. At these events, students will find a team full of friendly, knowledgeable people who will truly connect with them.  

“The Involvement Ambassadors have an incredible opportunity to use their knowledge about involvement to connect with students personally and help them discover their interests in a new season of their life,” Cooper says.  

The IA team not only will just sit down with students and connect them with the organizations best suited for them but will enjoy doing it! “Above all, the IAs just love getting to meet students and welcome them into the Auburn family,” says Cooper, who also comments that “it is so fulfilling and joyful to watch students thrive at Auburn by finding their community and passions through involvement.” 

IA has grown in both outreach capability and size in the past few years and is equipped with all the tools they need to work with every student. Resources like AUinvolve, Auburn’s involvement website, help the IAs direct students towards organizations they will love. Their broad perspective of organizations partly comes from the fact that so many of them are deeply involved themselves. Each are members of different organizations, so their perspective on what majors go best with what organizations and what people fit best in certain areas is extensive.  

“It is such an honor to get to lead students who are passionate about helping other students find their passions,” Cooper exclaims, saying that “students should come visit the Involvement Ambassadors because we have first handedly gotten to experience the impact of Auburn involvement, and we love it!” 

If you are a student looking to get involved, looking to find a home, or looking to meet new people, the Involvement Ambassadors are here for you. Come and visit them in the Involvement Suite (Melton Student Center 3130), email them at getinvolved@auburn.edu, or follow their social media (@AUinvolve) for more information!  

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It’s Never Too Late to Get Involved

By: Jackson Yanosky
Student Involvement – Student Writer

Getting involved on campus is a cornerstone of many students’ paths here at Auburn. Some students discover their path early on in their college careers, getting involved in organizations as freshmen or sophomores. Every student’s path is different, however, and many students find themselves getting involved in their junior or even senior year! It’s never too late to discover your path at Auburn.

Ian Maurelli is one student whose path highlights the way that Auburn students can get involved later on in college. Ian transferred here his sophomore year and spent his first couple of semesters here adjusting to life in Auburn, but by the beginning of his junior year he knew he wanted to get involved.

“Of course, that led me to the Student Government Association (SGA),” he tells me, “and I was lucky enough to get elected as Chief Justice, so I served from 2023-2024.” The SGA’s Chief Justice presides over all hearings and meetings of the judicial court.

“It was great work,” he describes. “I got to lead the student courts and make decisions. I got to really have a hand in what goes on at our university.”

Aside from the SGA, Ian wanted to get involved in something social, something active, and something academic. Luckily, after hearing about some organizations he was interested in, he had learned about AUinvolve and used it to help him make his decisions.

“After searching on AUinvolve for more information, I found all that I needed to know: the dues, where they meet, the times they meet, and the commitments required by the club,” he says. AUinvolve led him to join the organizations he had been looking for, and he joined the Swim club, the Gender and Sexuality Alliance, and Pi Lambda Sigma to fulfill his goal of finding an active, social, and academic organization, respectively.

Another student who found their path later is Delaney Donovan. Delaney says that in her early time at Auburn, she was “focused on getting situated and understanding what college was about,” as many other students are. Later, in her junior year, she was able to find the organizations that were right for her.

“I just searched on AUinvolve and found things that interested me. I found organizations that worked for me and applied,” she tells me. This led her to join many groups on campus that changed her life at Auburn.

Delaney is now Vice President of the High School Leadership Conference, Director of Events for the Spanish Club, on the Event Planning committee in Pi Lambda Sigma, and Executive Editor for AU Law Review.

“[Getting involved] made me feel really good,” she says. “In a lot of my clubs I now have leadership positions, so I always tell everyone that if they need anything to reach out to me, and a lot of them do. I’ll go to campus and get coffee with them or do something with them. It makes me feel like I’m helping, and that makes me feel really good.”

Delaney and Ian’s paths exhibit how it’s never too late to find the organizations you want to join at Auburn, but another student exemplifies how continual hard work can lead to finally reaching the goals a student sets for themselves early on in their college career.

Paige Rosckes says that when she came to Auburn and went on her first tour, she knew from that moment that one of her dreams was to become a Student Recruiter. She also knew early on that she wanted to be in organizations like the SGA and Freshman forum.

“My freshman year, I think I went to four or five Cater callouts and got nothing,” she tells me. Although that experience could be discouraging, Paige stayed determined and never stopped reaching for her goals.

“From the Creed, ‘believing in hard work’ is something that I lead through every day,” she says. “I kept persevering and the first thing that I achieved was getting on the Dance Line. Once I became a part of that, I just kept loving Auburn even more and wanting to find ways to get plugged in.”

Keeping her dream of wanting to become a Student Recruiter, Paige went to one of the Involvement Ambassadors (IA) for help. With the help of one of IA’s best, Paige was able to prepare and learn more about what Student Recruiters do. She ended up applying to join the Involvement Ambassadors as well.

Just before her senior year, Paige achieved her goal and became a Student Recruiter! Along with now being an Involvement Ambassador, Paige uses her positions in campus organizations to help lead other students to discover their paths.

Ian, Delaney, and Paige’s stories exemplify how it is never too late to get involved, whether that means finding and joining organizations later in college or pursuing a goal continually over your student career. Knowing resources like AUinvolve and talking to people like the Involvement Ambassadors can lead any student to where they want to be at Auburn. So, whether you are a freshman or a senior, never think that you’re unable to find your place here at Auburn. There is always something waiting for you, you just have to find it!

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Baseball Season in Auburn

By Dana Poore, Admissions Advisor

Spring in Auburn means it’s time for my favorite season of the year: baseball season! My favorite pastime is watching baseball, whether it be a night game in the middle of the week or a beautiful Sunday afternoon. If Plainsman Park is open, more than likely, you will be able to find me there.

My love of baseball comes from the days when my parents took me to Mobile Bay Bears games to help me learn more about being a catcher since I played softball. Those days in Hank Aaron Stadium always brought so much joy and peace to me, and they are some of my fondest memories. Baseball was also my first official sport I attended at Auburn as a kid. Although Plainsman Park has gotten some updates since my first visit, it is still just as special to me as it was on that first visit.

Plainsman Park

So, when I grew up with easy access to continue going to baseball games, I was all in. I find myself counting down to opening day each year. In my eyes, Auburn baseball is the perfect example of if you love Auburn, it will love you right back. For me, baseball is my refuge, no matter what is going on in my life: the good, the bad, and the ugly. I know when I walk into Plainsman Park for a brief time, it all melts away. Whether I am taking in a baseball game with a group of friends or making a solo trip to Plainsman Park, I know I am with family. One of the special aspects about baseball is that it is a very social game. I have gotten to sit with Auburn alumni who, after the last three years, I have made connections and community with. Plainsman park, whether you are sitting in the outfield or directly behind home plate, is such a magical place to be. Plainsman Park is even electric when 1st pitch has to be delayed until 9:15 pm due to weather. Take it from a girl who loves baseball, but who loves Auburn baseball the most.

If you cannot find me during baseball season, chances are high that I am hiding away in Plainsman Park cheering on the Tigers! Check out this year’s schedule here, and make it to a game if you can. I hope it’s as wonderful an experience for you as it is for me!

Dana with Auburn baseball legend Frank Thomas
Dana with Auburn’s head baseball coach Butch Thompson

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Looking for media experience as an Auburn student? Here are 5 ways to get involved

Auburn University has so many great opportunities for students to gain real-world experience in their fields, including opportunities for students interested in careers in media. Student Media at Auburn is made up of 5 groups: The Auburn Circle literary magazine, Eagle Eye TV, The Glomerata yearbook, The Auburn Plainsman newspaper, and WEGL 91.1 FM

We asked several Auburn students to share about their experience working with these media groups. See their responses below!

The Auburn Circle

Published twice a year, The Auburn Circle is Auburn University’s literary and arts magazine.

“My time at the Circle has been the most fulfilling part of my Auburn experience, both preparing me in my future career in publishing and giving me a supportive community in which to thrive. I’ve made some of my best friends at the Circle, and I’ve grown as an artist because of my time here. Student Media is, in my opinion, the best way to get involved at Auburn, whether you’re interested in journalism or art, or anything else on that spectrum!”

-Cole Anderson, Editor-in-Chief, The Auburn Circle

Eagle Eye TV

Eagle Eye TV is Auburn’s student-run television station. Students have the opportunity to produce live weekly sports, entertainment, and news shows.

“I’ve worked almost every position you can in EETV in Student Media and now as Station Manager I can confidently say the skills and relationships I’ve developed through this organization have been the best part of my Auburn experience. The opportunities I’ve been given because of my work in student media, from internships to reporting live on air with local television stations, are completely irreplaceable and will leave me in a great place for post-grad.”

-Sydney Babb, Station Manager, Eagle Eye TV

“I love being involved in Student Media because I see how many doors it opens up for my peers and I love to see just how involved we can get in everything. Last semester, I wasn’t involved in much at all but I really feel like I’ve found my place in Eagle Eye and it’s introduced me to so many important people and given me all kinds of experience.”

-Courtenee Webster, News Producer and Digital Content Manager, Eagle Eye TV

The Glomerata

Auburn’s official yearbook that has been published since 1897.

“Student Media has been more than just a creative outlet for me–it has shaped my career aspirations. As the Editor-in-Chief of The Glomerata, Auburn’s yearbook, I’ve discovered my passion for local coverage within public marketing. Without this organization, I may have never explored the possibilities of a career in media.”

-Kendall Wilkes, Editor-in-Chief, The Glomerata

The Auburn Plainsman

Founded in 1893, The Auburn Plainsman is the second most honored newspaper in the country according to the Associated Collegiate Press. Up-to-the-minute news is published on theplainsman.com.

“I think the best part of Student Media is the opportunities it provides. I have learned more from my involvement here than I ever would in a classroom. In fact, some of my teachers have used my published Student Media work as “exemplary” pieces in the field. I have had hands-on experience, and I have worked through issues that only present themselves when you are fully immersed.”

-Sami Grace Donnelly, Editor-in-Chief, The Auburn Plainsman

“I enjoy working in student media because it affords me opportunities that other students might not have, especially when it comes to athletics and event access. Working in student media not only puts me in professional situations, but allows me to connect with industry professionals in fields that I would like to work in postgrad.”

-Luca Flores, Photo Editor, The Auburn Plainsman

WEGL 91.1 FM

Auburn’s student-operated radio station that serves as a learning lab for students to gain real-world experiences in live production as well as writing and editing. WEGL also does a live broadcast of Auburn University softball and soccer.

“Student involvement has been a game-changer for me. It’s not just about building a resume, it’s about discovering who I am, what I care about, and how I can make an impact. Through my leadership roles, I’ve gained invaluable skills like communication, collaboration, and adaptability. What’s so great about student involvement is the sense of community, it connects you with people who challenge and inspire you, helping you grow both personally and professionally. It’s a way to learn, fail, and succeed.”

-Rae Nawrocki, Station Manager, WEGL

Learn more about student media at Auburn here!

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What is The Jungle at Auburn?

The short answer: The Jungle is the official student section at Auburn basketball games… but this season it means so much more.

The Auburn men’s basketball team is currently the best in the country. On Saturday, February 15th, Auburn beat Bama (#2 team in the country) in Tuscaloosa with a final score of 94-85. History was made that day. It was the first ever SEC matchup of a #1 and #2 team, and you can read more about it here.

Prior to big home games, Auburn students camp out in tents (Jungle Village) near Neville Arena to get in line for a ticket. Basketball tickets are included in student fees, but admission is first-come, first-serve. The hype before these games is intense, and The Jungle becomes a 6th player. The cheering is loud, the energy is high, and the opposing team has difficulty hearing the plays called.

The team contributes to this energy by posting videos of dancing and good vibes on Instagram, which just adds to the excitement that surrounds the season. Coach Bruce Pearl is a big part of the magic that is currently Auburn basketball too, and we are lucky to have him.

Tomorrow we play Bama again, but at home. It is the last home game of the regular season, and everything is on the line. Win or lose, I think we are still going to have an amazing run during March Madness. Watch to find out!

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Oh Hey, Hey Day!

Auburn University celebrated Hey Day this past Wednesday, October 16th, and it was one for the books! This beloved tradition dates back to 1947, when students who served in WWII returned back to classes as usual at Auburn. When they returned, they struggled to reassimilate with their fellow classmates. In response, the student body and Student Government Association advocated for a day that would “unite the Auburn family and promote a friendly atmosphere known as Hey Day”. Hey Day is now a day where every student gets the opportunity to wear a name tag, giving everyone a sense of belonging and reminding them that they are part of the Auburn family.

One of our very own admissions advisors, Emma Donaldson, shared her Hey Day experience:

“Ever since I’ve been at Auburn, I look forward to Hey Day – formerly as a student and now as an employee of the University! Everyone comes together, wears name tags, and literally says hey to each other! My favorite memory from Hey Day was my sophomore year. My friends and I all gathered on the green space, ate lunch, hung out, and met new people. We even met the Athletic Director and took pictures with the eagle! Hey Day is such a special tradition at Auburn, and I am so glad we continue it every year!”

You can learn more about the Hey Day tradition here!

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What is The First 56?

The First 56 at Auburn University will run from August 12th through October 6th, 2024, and is THE BEST way to get connected to the University and your fellow classmates!  Organized by the University Program Council, the First 56 is eight weeks of special programming, events, and initiatives to promote student engagement, healthy decision-making, and academic achievement.

Throughout these eight weeks, there are over 400 events that students can choose from as simple as Class Tours & Kona Ice and as extravagant as an on-campus concert featuring The Driver Era. Attending these events is no additional cost to Auburn students and they can attend as many or as few events as they wish.

A fan favorite event during the First 56 was Waffles with Woodard. At this event, students are able to get a free waffle from the infamous Waffle House Food Truck from Senior Vice President for Student Affairs, Dr. Bobby Woodard.

Convocation 2024 is Sunday, August 18th, in Jordan-Hare Stadium, which is the night before the first day of classes. Convocation is basically a big pep rally in our football stadium, and an official welcome into the Auburn Family! Various Auburn traditions, including watching the band run out on the field, seeing the eagle fly, and singing the fight song & alma mater, will be celebrated on this special night.

If you are interested in seeing the complete list of events, visit the AU Involve website!

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A Weekend in Auburn: My Out-of-State Experience

By: Giovanna Atti

The only thing better than a week at Auburn is a weekend at Auburn. For me the perfect weekend includes food, fun and friends. In springtime, Auburn’s campus is more beautiful than ever— tulips spring up in Centennial Gardens, cherry blossoms engulf Cater Hall, and Samford Lawn is lush and green, making the perfect spot for a picnic. My friends and I often walk around campus and debate about what we should get for dinner. The beauty in a college town like Auburn is that everyone can get something different and still eat together. I usually end up with Taco Mama and meet my friends back on Samford Lawn to enjoy our meal. We window shop and end the night with a sweet treat from Toomer’s Drugs. On sunnier days, you can find me relaxing at the Rec pool reading a book or taking a nap. The plush towels, crystal blue water, and comfortable lounge chairs make me feel like I am at a resort, much less college. If I’m in more of an adventurous mood, my friends and I enjoy exploring the outskirts of Auburn. We’ve hiked at Chewacla State Park and climbed the fire tower at Lake Martin. As you can see, there are many ways to spend a weekend in Auburn, and you won’t regret sticking around to experience all that Auburn has to offer!